Apparatus, Kit, and System for Horticulture

Abstract

An apparatus, kit, and system for horticulture. The apparatus has an elongate body that retains a plant therewithin, a flanged portion at a proximal end of the apparatus, and one or more fluid-handling portions. The body is inclined relative to a plane having the flanged portion with a distal end of the apparatus extending in a downwardly inclined altitude with respect to the flanged portion, with the flanged portion supporting the installation of the apparatus into an aperture of a vertical structure having levelled surfaces for fluid received by the apparatus to be handled by one or a combination of the fluid-handling portions. The apparatus may be in the form of one or more assemblable pieces. The apparatus is further part of a system with a vertical structure where a plurality of these apparatuses are installed thereon, and fluid dispensing means that dispenses fluid to the apparatuses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for horticulture, comprising
 an elongate body that retains a plant therewithin,   a flanged portion at a proximal end of the apparatus; and   one or more fluid-handling portions that include
 a first fluid-channeling portion at the proximal end of the apparatus in which the flanged portion extends therefrom; and 
 a second fluid-channeling portion that is formed on the first fluid-channeling portion; 
   wherein   the body is inclined relative to a plane having the flanged portion with a distal end of the apparatus extending in a downwardly inclined altitude with respect to the flanged portion, with the flanged portion supporting the installation of the apparatus into an aperture of a vertical structure having levelled surfaces for fluid received by the apparatus to be handled by one or a combination of the fluid-handling portions where   the first fluid-channeling portion directs received fluid away from the apparatus; and   the second fluid-channeling portion directs fluid towards the body.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-handling portions further include
 a fluid-collecting portion formed on the body; and   at least one fluid-draining portion formed on the body;   wherein   the fluid-collecting portion allows receipt of fluid from the environment and/or itself into the body; and   the fluid-draining portion drains excess fluid within the body away from the apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the fluid-draining portion is at a distance away from the distal end of the apparatus for retaining a portion of received fluid within the body for immersing roots of the plant therein. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the fluid-draining portion is formed with an outline that is tapered towards the distal end of the apparatus for guiding root growth of a plant to be external of the body for its aeration. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fastening mechanism formed along a lateral surface of the first fluid-channeling portion as a set of protrusions for providing a support at the proximal end of the apparatus as the apparatus is installed on the vertical structure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an orientation marker formed on the flanged portion for serving as an indication of a proper orientation of the apparatus whereby it is at a topmost level along the flanged portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first fluid-channeling portion and the second fluid-channeling portion are part of a first piece; and   the fluid-collecting portion and the fluid-draining portion are part of a second piece;   wherein the first piece and the second piece are capable of being assembled to form the apparatus.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the first piece and the second piece each include a connector that is mateable with each other for the first piece and the second piece to be detachably connected for their assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is inclined relative to a plane having the flanged portion with a distal end of the apparatus extending in a downwardly inclined altitude with respect to the flanged portion at an angle that is between 50° and 80°. 
     
     
         10 . A system for horticulture, comprising
 a vertical structure having levelled surfaces, formed with a plurality of apertures;   a fluid dispensing means for dispensing fluid; and   a plurality of apparatuses for horticulture that each includes
 an elongate body that retains a plant therewithin, 
 a flanged portion at a proximal end of the apparatus; and 
 one or more fluid-handling portions that include;
 a first fluid-channeling portion at the proximal end of the apparatus in which the flanged portion extends therefrom; and
 a second fluid-channeling portion that is formed on the first fluid-channeling portion; 
 
 
   wherein the body of each apparatus is inclined relative to a plane having the flanged portion with a distal end of the apparatus extending in a downwardly inclined altitude with respect to the flanged portion, with the flanged portion supporting the installation of the apparatus into one aperture of the vertical structure for fluid dispensed by the fluid-dispensing means to be received by the apparatus for it handled by one or a combination of the fluid-handling portions where   the first fluid-channeling portion directs received fluid away from the apparatus; and   the second fluid-channeling portion directs fluid towards the body.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the fluid-handling portions of the apparatus further include
 a fluid-collecting portion formed on the body; and   at least one fluid-draining portion formed on the body;   wherein   the fluid-collecting portion allows receipt of fluid from the environment and/or itself into the body; and   the fluid-draining portion drains excess fluid within the body away from the apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the fluid-draining portion of the apparatus is at a distance away from the distal end of the apparatus for retaining a portion of received fluid within the body for immersing roots of the plant therein. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the fluid-draining portion of the apparatus is formed with an outline that is tapered towards the distal end of the apparatus for guiding root growth of a plant to be external of the body for its aeration. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a fastening mechanism formed along a lateral surface of the first fluid-channeling portion as a set of protrusions for providing a support at the proximal end of the apparatus as the apparatus is installed on the vertical structure. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an orientation marker formed on the flanged portion for serving as an indication of a proper orientation of the apparatus whereby it is at a topmost level along the flanged portion. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is in the form of assemblable pieces where
 the first fluid-channeling portion and the second fluid-channeling portion are part of a first piece; and   the fluid-collecting portion and the fluid-draining portion are part of a second piece;   wherein the first piece and the second piece are capable of being assembled to form the apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the first piece and the second piece of the apparatus each include a connector that is mateable with each other for the first piece and the second piece to be detachably connected for their assembly. 
     
     
         18 . A kit of parts assembly for horticulture, comprising
 a first piece and a second piece, with
 an elongate body that retains a plant therewithin being part of the second piece; 
 a flanged portion being part of either one or both the first piece and the second piece; and 
 one or more fluid-handling portions being part of either one or both the first piece and the second piece that include;
 a first fluid-channeling portion that is part of the first piece; and 
 a second fluid-channeling portion that is part of the first piece, which is formed on the first fluid-channeling portion; 
 
   wherein   the first piece and the second piece are detachably connectable with each other; and   assembly of the pieces provides an assembled piece where
 the first fluid-channeling portion is at a proximal end of the assembled piece; and 
 the body is inclined relative to a plane having the flanged portion with a distal end of the assembled piece extending in a downwardly inclined altitude with respect to the flanged portion, with the flanged portion supporting the installation of the assembled piece into an aperture of a vertical structure having levelled surfaces for fluid received by the assembled piece to be handled by one or a combination of the fluid-handling portions where 
 the first fluid-channeling portion that is part of the first piece directs received fluid away from the assembled piece; and 
 the second fluid-channeling portion directs fluid towards the body of the assembled piece.